Journal 65

[Daisy]

As usual much that I would say has already been mentioned by others. I really enjoy the variety of items in the Journal - something for everyone. I was, as ever, drawn to Anita's article and have promised myself that I will read more short stories in future. There really are little gems among them, but since I gave up reading an Enid Blyton story to a class of infants for the last 15 minutes of the school day, I have rather neglected them.
The background of the Enid Blyton Magazine was fascinating and I think we are lucky to have such information available to us from Tony's store of Blyton items.
I really enjoyed Rob's adventure cookery article and look forward to more of the same interesting mixtures!
It is good to read the short stories too, especially those written nearly 100 years ago. It's hard to believe the 1920s are really nearly that long ago! All in all a lovely Journal, enhanced as always by the beautiful colour illustrations which Tony takes such pains over to give us the best reproduction possible. Thanks for all your hard work Tony, it is much appreciated.

[Nick]

Marvellous edition, as always.

I can’t add anything that has not been said, many thanks to all the contributors for their excellent articles. The highlight for me, surprisingly, were the minutes from the meetings. Fascinating!

Here’s to Journal 66

[Kate Mary]

I've been so busy lately I haven't had time to comment on the Journal, but as Nick and Daisy have written, it has all been said. A super edition, I enjoyed all the articles, thanks to all. I have found however that I've got the first two lines of Enid's poem 'Foxgloves' lodged in my brain! It's getting annoying!!

[pete9012S]

Just really enjoyed Favourite Illustrations by John Lester. Even though no Maxey's appeared, John presented some very good illustrations.

Enid Blyton Stories from the Roaring 20s – No. 21: Kaliss, Higgletop and the Sillybillies - really enjoying this. The more I read of Enid's very early work from the 1920's the more I enjoy it. She was certainly very talented long long before even The Secret Island was published!

Now for My Enid Blyton Cookery Book – Part 3:..

[Lenoir]

My journal arrived on Tuesday and I had a quick look through it. Looks enticing.
I enjoyed the editorial too. It sets the scene and draws you in very nicely I always think.
Time to renew my membership as well.

[Chrissie777]

Yes, it's a wonderful issue!

[Rob Houghton]

I finally finished the Journal, reading about the Bobbsey Twins - very informative, as I didn't know much about them - and certainly didn't realise they were written by different writers - rather like the Nancy Drew mysteries. I can't say I was intrigued enough to read any Bobbsey Twin books, but it was an informative and interesting ending to The Journal!

Congratulations to all who wrote in this latest issue, and of course to Tony - thank you for all you do to make the Journal such a success.

[Eddie Muir]

Yes, it's a wonderful issue!

I agree wholeheartedly.

[Anita Bensoussane]

I commented on several Journal articles earlier, including the very informative Enid Blyton's Magazine letters and minutes. Another piece that I found particularly interesting was 'Enid Fifteen, Going on Sixteen!', taking a look at sketches drawn by a young Enid Blyton for her friend Mirabel Davis' autograph book. It's fascinating to see them and I can't help wondering whether the autograph book might also contain sketches by schoolmates like Mary Attenborough and Phyllis Chase, both of whom went on to become artists/illustrators (Mary used her married name of 'Mary Potter' professionally):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Potter_(painter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllis_Chase" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

'Bomdoodling!' was another article that caught my attention. It's great to have evidence of the kinds of notes that Enid Blyton sometimes scribbled down in preparation for writing a story, as it teaches us more about the way she worked.

I don't think I ever came across the Bobbsey Twins as a child but I enjoyed reading John Henstock's comparison of the Bobbseys and the Fives. Lovely to see the Bobbsey Twins book covers, which are charming and jolly.

Chinky's Wishing-Chair poem is great and it's always exciting to hear of a new Birns book being discovered (Fairy Tales). Fancy Enid Blyton being paid 5 guineas for each of those nine 'Toy Books' in 1925. That was a fortune! In The Family at Red-Roofs, published in 1945, the Jackson family buy a pedigree spaniel for 3 guineas!

The Journal cover (Kathleen Nixon) is beautiful, and Enid's 'From My Window' is a glorious evocation of spring.

Tony's comment about 'loaves and fishes' in his editorial is a reminder of the miracles he performs to bring us a sumptuous Journal three times a year, through good times and bad. Cheers, Tony! By the way, that Dorothy Wheeler picture showing a table laden with cakes and tarts makes me hungry every time I look at it!

[pete9012S]

Just reading the Journal properly whilst on holiday here in Turkey. Most enjoyable. Really enjoyed the articles on The Bible,Robs selections,Ilsa's accounts of Dick's captivity - what a great idea! and also Tony's minutes from The Enid Blyton Magazine. Still have more to read..most enjoyable. Thank you.

[sixret]

Happy holiday, Pete! Which part of Turkey do you go?

[pete9012S]

Cheers!
I'm still in Oludeniz!

Swam past a huge sea turtle yesterday in the lagoon.

[Chrissie777]

Just reading the Journal properly whilst on holiday here in Turkey. Most enjoyable. Really enjoyed the articles on The Bible,Robs selections,Ilsa's accounts of Dick's captivity - what a great idea! and also Tony's minutes from The Enid Blyton Magazine. Still have more to read..most enjoyable. Thank you.

Pete, I've been to Oeli Deniz in May 1986, but it was way too crowded...I wonder how many people might be at the beach in the summer months?

[sixret]

Thank you, Pete.

[pete9012S]

We've been going to Kidrak beach - there were six people on the beach including us yesterday!